Pop-up fresh food markets launched at three TTC locations

New pop-up food markets have been launched at three Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) locations to help residents make healthier food choices during their evening rush-hour commute. Through a collaboration with the TTC and FoodShare, the markets will operate from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Downsview and Victoria Park stations, and during the same hours Wednesdays at Kipling subway station.

“I am pleased to celebrate the official opening of these new TTC pop-up food markets,” said Deputy Mayor Pam McConnell (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale) at the Downsview Station on Thursday. “Food security is a central component of Toronto’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. These food markets will provide residents with easier access to fresh, healthy and affordable food choices on their daily commutes.”

“Pop-up food markets at TTC subway stations is an exciting collaboration, which demonstrates our commitment to improving the customer’s experience in our system,” said TTC Chair Councillor Josh Colle (Ward 15 Eglinton-Lawrence). “These markets will provide access to healthy and fresh food options for our customers who are on the move.”

Many of Toronto’s populations face barriers to accessing healthy, convenient, high-quality and low-cost foods. Grab Some Good pop-up markets help to fill this gap by connecting urban commuters with fresh food as they move through their day.

The new TTC food pop-up markets will offer commuters healthy food choices at affordable prices and are intended to:
• promote access to fresh produce at affordable prices
• advance the sustainable production and distribution of healthy food, and
• implement a healthy food kiosk model in TTC subway stations that prioritizes high standards of food quality, customer service and value for money.

“Food plays a vital role in building healthy people, communities and cities,” said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health. “With over 1.6 million passengers using the TTC each day, the TTC can be an important venue for promoting healthy food options.”

The initiative, launched today at Downsview subway station, is part of the Grab Some Good brand that aims to encourage customers to make healthier food choices. The markets benefit from FoodShare’s ability to source and prepare high-quality, affordable food and provide market expertise. – CINEWS